A World Of Two Sizes

Humanity has diverged into two distinct groups: the “Normal-Sized” and a smaller, diminutive people averaging 2 inches in height, known colloquially as Tinies

Normal people dominate society, not out of sheer malice but because of deeply ingrained biases. Many view Tinies as fragile, insignificant, or incapable of performing the same roles as their larger counterparts. Meanwhile, the Tinies navigate a world not built for them, contending with infrastructure, workplaces, and social dynamics that often exclude them entirely.

However, technology has provided an intriguing solution: temporary size-shifting with the use of special accessories such as armbands or bracelets.

The procedure is temporary, lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on the needs of the user. Through the use of specialized devices, regular people can shrink down to Micro size, and Tinies can temporarily grow to Macro proportions. There is no known way to permanently grow.

However, It is possible for someone of normal size to permanently shrink down to the size of a tiny due to a rare malfunction in their size shifting device.

The phenomenon is called “Artificial Neo-Tiny Syndrome” Or A.N.T.S And anyone afflicted by it would be known as an A.N.T 

The size shifting devices serves as both a functional tool and a status symbol, shaping interactions in different societal contexts

For Tinies in Normal Areas:

The device signifies that the wearer is originally a Tiny, temporarily using the technology to “fit in” with the larger world. While it allows access to normal-sized jobs and spaces, it also draws attention to their identity, leading to stigma, discrimination, or outright prejudice.

For Normal people in Tiny Areas:

Normal people who shrink down to visit Tiny areas may flaunt the device as a badge of status or novelty. To some Tinies, this comes off as condescending. Like a tourist visiting a “lesser” world.

The most common form comes in either armband form or bracelet form, While both devices serve the same primary function, their form factors have differences that cater to different needs or preferences:

The Bracelet:

  • It’s sleek, lightweight, and designed to look like an accessory.
  • Because of its compact size, it’s easier for people to hide the bracelet under sleeves or gloves if they don’t want to draw attention to them.
  • Its smaller size can make it more fragile and prone to malfunction.

The armband:

  • The armband is bulkier but built to last. It’s favored by individuals who prioritize utility over aesthetics.
  •  Its larger size might house a more powerful battery, allowing for longer or more stable size-shifting sessions
  • Because it’s worn higher on the arm, it’s more conspicuous, which can be a deliberate choice for those who don’t mind or even want to be noticed.

Every size-shifting bracelet or armband emits a thin, luminous ring of light that encircles the device. This light is impossible to fully disable under legal models, by design, making it both a safety feature and a social marker.

Officially, the government claims the light is for public safety and regulation. Unofficially, everyone knows it also functions as identification and quiet enforcement.

White – Neutral

The person with it is currently at their normal size.

Blue – Shrunken

A Normal-sized person has shrunk.

Green – Grown

A Tiny has grown to normal size.

Amber / Yellow – Time Warning

Size-shift time is running low or something wrong is about to happen

Red – Malfunction

Something is wrong with the device

Purple – Government/special permissions

Unlike most people, the purple color will display regardless of whether the person was born tiny or not

Size-shifting devices do not simply shrink or enlarge bodies.They emit a bio-resonant charge, a field that interacts with a person’s innate physiological size signature.

Every person has one of two natural signatures:

  • Normal-origin physiology
  • Tiny-origin physiology

This signature is found at birth and embedded deep in a person’s cellular structure and the device must match this signature to function correctly.

Compression Charge:

  • Forces a Normal-origin body into a compressed, stabilized Tiny state
  • When a normal person who is shrunk runs out of time/battery, it will normally refuse to grow them if there is no space for them to grow
    • I.e Inside a stomach, or shoe

Expansion Charge:

  • Temporarily expands a Tiny-origin body beyond its natural equilibrium
  • Is a bit more unstable so requires an active stabilization
  • Will always collapse back to Tiny size when the time or battery is up

Essentially this means while its true a normal size person can stay shrunken, a Tiny who grows bigger will always shrink back down without fail.

The Devices are keyed at a manufacturer to emit a specific type of charge. If a person were to use a device that emits a charge that does not fit to their size signature, then at best it will simply do nothing.

In extremely rare cases, it’s possible for the device to malfunction, which can alter or overwrite a person’s size signature. This means a normal person could end up permanently with a Tiny-origin signature, or shrunk permanently with no device able to grow you back. A tiny person could even end up shrinking smaller than another tiny permanently.

The phenomenon is called “Artificial Neo-Tiny Syndrome” Or A.N.T.S And anyone afflicted by it would be known as an A.N.T 

Size-shifting affects the user’s body and tightly worn items, while external objects remain unchanged. Clothing and bonded accessories scale with the individual, but loose items do not, preventing the transfer of mass between sizes. Safety systems restrict shifting while carrying other individuals or when enclosed in confined spaces, often locking users at their current size until conditions are considered safe. Illegal modifications or a malfunctioning device could negate the lock.

Size-shifting devices also operate on individual bio-resonant fields. A Tiny caught inside a Normal person’s shift field can be partially affected, causing instability in their own size state. 

For example: When a size-shifting field is activated in close proximity to another individual such as a Tiny person tucked into a Normal person’s pocket, the system should typically block activation to prevent overlap. However, in cases of malfunction or tampering, overlapping fields can cause instability in the secondary subject’s biological scale. These incidents may result in temporary desynchronization where a Tiny is shrunk even smaller alongside the Normal person or, in very rare cases, Artificial Neo-Tiny Syndrome (A.N.T.), permanently altering the affected individual’s size baseline.

Characters

Reese Harper

A high-energy tomboy with a can-do attitude and a boisterous approach to life. Her heart is in the right place, she does wants to help Tinies, but her understanding of their struggles is shallow, shaped more by her own worldview than their realities. 

Allie Shay

A natural born Tiny that’s unapologetically mischievous. she thrives on making others squirm, whether they’re a fellow Tiny or a Normal. She can be very playful at the expense of others. 

Quinn Carter

A quiet, gentle, and shy person, preferring to blend into the background rather than stand out. Despite being Normal-sized, and rather tall, he often feels overwhelmed by the world around him and envies Tinies for their ability to “disappear”.

Rachel Hayes

A pragmatic, emotionally drained, and quite cynical. Once kind and attentive, she has grown indifferent after years of being overworked. She has a dry, internal sense of humor and views most workplace interactions as nuisances rather than connections.

Maria Willow

A woman who presents herself as the perfect picture of a gentle, cheerful housewife. However, Underneath this polished exterior, however, lies a deeply sadistic and calculating woman who views Tiny lives as little more than sources of private entertainment.